Most of the people who know me will say that I’m a coffee drinker. And it’s true. I am a certified caffeine addict – I don’t feel like a real person until I’ve had my morning cup of joe! But there’s also a large part of me that sincerely enjoys a warm, cosy brew.
There’s something incredibly comforting about a cup of tea when you’re feeling a little low. A cuppa can make the world a little brighter and more joyful, and I’m almost never without one when I have a book in my hand. They’re a natural pairing!
So today, on National Tea Day, I thought I would do something a little different and fun. Below you’ll find a collection of tea recommendations based on beloved book characters! Each delightful tea featured is one that I could imagine the character drinking themselves or that reflects their personality.
Enjoy, my literary tea lovers!
1. Lady Lavender Tea for Elizabeth Bennet (Pride & Prejudice)
For Lizzie, I wanted a tea that was strong, yet feminine. I also wanted to find one that had a botanical element, since she spends a lot of time walking and generally outdoors in the English countryside. This Lady Lavender Tea from Bird and Blend is the perfect compromise. It’s a delightful blend of strong Ceylon black tea with notes of bergamot oil and fragrant parma violet lavender.
To immerse yourself even more in Elizabeth’s story, pair your cuppa with our Pride & Prejudice Lemon Tea Biscuits Baking Kit!
2. Birthday Cake for Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)
Birthday Cake from Birdhouse Tea Co. is a colourful, fruity blend of vanilla, raspberries, rose, marigold, andcornflower peteals and black tea. It smells exactly like a sweet birthday cake with creamy frosting, which I thought perfectly suited innocent little Alice and her penchant for cakes.
While you're at it, enjoy one of the Queen of Hearts' Jam Tarts while you're exploring Wonderland!
3. Organic Nettle for Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)
Hobbiton and its rolling grassy hills are the inspiration for this choice of Organic Nettle tea from Clipper Teas. Bilbo’s heart belongs to the Shire, so I thought he would enjoy this refreshing, clean tea with subtle grassy notes to remind him of home on his quest.
Why not pair your cuppa with our Seed Cake Baking Kit inspired by The Hobbit and journey across Middle-Earth with Bilbo?
4. Peach Green Tea for Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind)
A Southern belle deserves a Southern brew. This Green Tea with Peach from teapigs is a light and fruity blend of green tea, white hibiscus, apple pieces, blackberry leaves, and chicory root to create a juicy peach flavour. Hailing from Georgia, home of the peach, I’m sure Scarlett would love an iced cup of this tea to fuel her sass.
5. Wild Rooibos for Kya Clark (Where the Crawdads Sing)
Kya is a wild girl. She spends most of her time outdoors in the hot marshes of South Carolina, so I wanted to give her a tea that was as wild as she is. This Wild Rooibos from Canton is harvested from native bushes growing wild in the rocky, sun-baked earth of the Cederberg Mountains. It’s unique and rich, just like Kya’s character.
Be sure to grab our Southern Cornbread baking kit inspired by Kya's favourite dish too!
6. Tea Wells for Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden)
What better way for Mary to enjoy a little down time than with a cup of tea that was inspired by a beautiful royal English garden? This Tea Wells tea from Bird and Blend has a base of Chinese sencha green tea complemented with orange peel, apple pieces, rosehip, hibiscus, and blue and red cornflowers. A beautiful blend fit for the queen of a secret garden.
7. The Big Smoke for Sherlock Holmes (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
I’m going to assume that Sherlock likes his tea as he likes his tobacco: strong and smoky. The Big Smoke from Bird and Blend is his perfect cuppa. This pu’erh based tea is inspired by the industrial revolution; it’s smoky and full-bodied and will transport you straight to 221b Baker Street.
For an extra special reading experience, why not grab a Smoked Caramel Apple Dappy baking kit, inspired by the great detective himself?
8. Brain Boosting Blend for Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series)
Hermione takes great pride in her intellect and logical thinking, so I believe she would want to do everything she can to keep her brain in tip top shape. This Brain Boosting Blend from Attic Teas is a magical mix of green tea, cardamom, and nettle. Green tea for cognitive function, cardamom for blood circulation and clarity, and nettle for a boost of iron.
If you're re-reading The Philsopher's Stone (or venturing into the Wizarding World for the first time!), you're going to want to check out our Harry Potter Birthday Cake baking kit too!
9. Chocolate Tea for Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
I mean, the man makes just about everything out of chocolate, so I don’t see why he’d want his tea any other way! This Chocolate Tea from the Rare Tea Co. features bright and fruity Grenaden cacao nibs and malty Malawi black tea for a bold and richly chocolatey brew. I think Willy would be more than satisfied with this sweet treat.
10. Eton Mess Tea for Emma Woodhouse (Emma)
This Eton Mess Tea from Bird and Blend is a little bit sweet and a little bit sour, just like Emma! Featuring a summery blend of apple, rosehip, hibiscus, elderberries, strawberries, and liquorice, this creamy herbal tea perfectly encapsulates Emma’s frivolous, self-assured, and affectionate personality.
11. Restoring Roots for Demelza Poldark (Poldark series)
Fabulous and fiery: two words that could describe both Demelza and her favourite Organic Restoring Roots tea from Clipper Teas. This zingy herbal ginger tea features warming golden turmeric, a twist of black pepper, lemongrass, and cinnamon. A sassy tea for a sassy gal.
12. Spiced Winter Red for ‘Marmee’ March (Little Women)
This Spiced Winter Red tea from teapigs, with its mulled wine flavour notes, is pure Christmas comfort in a cup, which is why it’s so perfectly suited to Marmee. Her comforting presence is reflected in the notes of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves, while the trendy base of rooibos leaves mirror her progressive beliefs. I believe Marmee would love to curl up with a cosy cup of this tea when the winter winds are howling outside.
Well, that was fun! I hope these tea pairings inspired you to brew a cuppa and escape into a new character’s story.
If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to subscribe to the Bookish Bakes mailing list for biweekly thoughts on books, helpful baking tips, and ways to reduce your stress.